Mix & Match Macaroni Salad Ingredients
Ingredients in this easy macaroni salad recipe are versatile based on what you have on hand.
The basic ratio for macaroni salad:
- ½ lb elbow macaroni
- about 2 cups add-ins
Of course, you can add more or less of any of these ingredients to your liking. Keep in mind that some of the dressing will soak into the pasta as it chills in the fridge so be generous when adding dressing.
Can I Use Frozen Corn
I like to use fresh corn to make this corn salad, but frozen would also work . This recipe requires 4-5 cups of frozen corn, I usually use a blend of sweet yellow corn and super sweet white corn if using frozen.
After youve combined your corn and the rest of your chopped veggies, the next thing youll need is a simple olive oil & vinegar based dressing.
I used red wine vinegar for this recipe, but if you only have white wine on hand you can substitute that instead, and while I havent tried this recipe with other varieties, I have a feeling most vinegars would work just as well.
Variations On Easy Macaroni Salad
- Peas: People LOVE peas in their pasta salads. You can just toss in frozen peas, theyll thaw out overnight without any issues.
- Ham: Diced ham is also really popular especially in a Hawaiian version which also has pineapple in it.
- Red Onions: Theyre slightly sweeter than yellow onions and add a fun color.
- Bell Peppers: Dont worry, they will have a slight crunch but also somewhat soften overnight.
- Tuna: Tuna Macaroni Salad is hugely popular and a perfect easy picnic main dish option since youre adding a protein.
- Eggs: Chopped eggs are also an easy and very popular mix-in. Use 3-4 large eggs that have been hard boiled.
- Pickle Juice: If vinegar is too harsh a flavor for you, try substituting pickle juice!
- Cheese: Cubed bits of cheddar cheese added to your salad is an easy protein addition.
- Noodles: Feel free to swap out the pasta shapes. You can use fusilli, bowtie, rotini, ziti or even broken spaghetti!
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A Better Macaroni Salad
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This macaroni salad has all the appeal of the old-fashioned, mayo-dressed version but with a few updates to make it taste brighter and better.
Macaroni salad is a staple at summer picnics, BBQs, and potlucks. I call this one better because its got all the appeal of the old-school, mayo-dressed version but with a few updates namely, sour cream, Dijon mustard, fresh basil, and loads of crisp, crunchy veggies to make it taste brighter. Cutting the traditional all-mayo dressing with sour cream and mustard makes the salad tangy and less mayonnaise-y, while the basil and veggies add fresh summer flavor. The key to the perfect creamy texture is thinning the dressing with a bit of water, so it coats the pasta without getting too clingy. However, keep in mind that the dressing thickens and gets absorbed by the noodles as the salad sits, so while all the components can be prepared ahead, its best to wait until right before serving to toss everything together. Macaroni salad pairs nicely with burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, BBQ ribs, or grilled or BBQ chicken.
Serving & Preparing In Advance
Corn salad can be served immediately after mixing all of your ingredients/dressing together, but, if you can, I recommend covering it and placing in the refrigerator for at least an hour to give the flavors the chance to really meld together.
This recipe can be made up to a day in advance of serving. I dont like to make it much before that because if your avocado is particularly ripe it can begin to turn brown if allowed to sit for too long .
Always make sure to give your ingredients a good stir before serving, as the dressing has a tendency to settle to the bottom of the bowl.
If you like this summer salad recipe, you may also want to check out my other favorite summer side dishes:
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How To Make Macaroni Salad From Scratch
Sometimes you just dont mess around with the classics. While some might look at this macaroni salad recipe and think its too simple thats exactly why its a time-proven favorite.
While Ive always been a fan of potato salad its taken me years to come around to macaroni salad. The reason being is that every time I tried one, it was never a good one. They were either too dry, too plain, or too heavily loaded with a goopy, flavorless mayo dressing that coated the macaroni like oil on a dipstick and likely came from a pre-packaged box from the deli counteryes! That stuff usually comes from a box!
Theres nothing worse than that acrid taste of fake mayo macaroni salad. You know. Youve been there.
But, this old-fashioned macaroni salad from scratch is everything those others were not. First off, its homemadetoss the box! Its simple but well-seasoned. Its dressed just right with a tangy but light mayo dressing. And the pasta is neither clumpy nor starchy, but smooth and satisfying with every bite.
I really do love this salad but Im going to defer to my husband on this one, who as a self-proclaimed macaroni salad connoisseur did attest, Honey, this is still the best macaroni salad Ive had. Ever.
Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe
Tangy, creamy Amish Macaroni Salad is the best side dish for every meal. Simply to prepare with pantry ingredients, this easy salad is always the first to vanish.
Summer parties were slim this year but that didnt stop us from firing up the grill and enjoying all our favorite BBQ dishes along with the required sides.
Everything from potato salad and Cole slaw to the best macaroni salad in the world. I like to pile my plate high with side dishes next to my teeny portion of protein.
And just when the summer starts to wind down, Ill find ways to repurpose those favorite summer side dishes to work with meals all year long. This Amish Macaroni Salad is no exception and its one we make at least twice a month.
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Chill Garnish And Serve
Shrimp macaroni salad is best served cold, so go ahead and transfer your salad into the fridge to chill. When you’re ready to serve, garnish with celery leaves and seeds, as desired. “This salad will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator, though the pasta is tastiest the day you make it,” says Pisula.
If you do make it ahead and notice that the salad starts to look a little dry after a day or so, there’s an easy fix. “It will continue to absorb a bit of moisture as it sits in the refrigerator. You could always add a little more mayo, Greek yogurt, or warm water to bring the sauce back to full creaminess,” Pisula suggests.
Mac Salad When You Cant Be In Hawaii
This past weekend I had a flashback to my Hawaii days when we ordered food from Honolulu Grill in St. George, UT. Everything we had there was delicious and seriously the most authentic Hawaiian food I have had since leaving Hawaii.
The macaroni salad, especially, hit home and suddenly made me wonder why we havent gotten a good Hawaiian mac salad recipe here on Favorite Family Recipes yet!
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What Can I Serve With Macaroni Salad
Getting ready to plan a cook out or a picnic? Here are more recipes you can serve with macaroni salad:
- Italian Potato Salad Every picnic Ive been to always has both macaroni and potato salad. This potato salad is an eggless potato salad made without mayo.
- BLT Pasta Salad Pasta salad made with bacon, tomato, and ranch dressing.
- Antipasto Pasta Salad A traditional Italian appetizer turned into pasta salad.
- The Pittsburger Usually when theres pasta salad, theres also burgers. This hamburger with fries and coleslaw is a Pittsburgh staple.
- Avocado Burgers Another burger recipe inspired by California flavors
- BBQ Bacon Burgers A sweet and tangy cheeseburger with bacon, onion rings, and BBQ sauce.
- Pesto Burgers A refreshing turkey burger with basil, mozzarella, and tomato.
- A sweet and savory turkey burger with pineapple
- Greek Portobello Mushroom Burgers Need a meatless option for your cookout? Check out these vegetarian mushroom burgers!
Chill Time: Total Time:
No picnic is complete without this sweet and creamy Amish Macaroni Salad! This recipe is similar to Walmarts Amish Macaroni Salad with a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, and smoked paprika.
- 1/2 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise*
- 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
How To Make Amish Macaroni Salad
Making the best Amish Macaroni Salad is easy! First, start boiling your water for the pasta.
I personally dont salt the water until after it boils and before adding the pasta. Thats because if you salt it first then get distracted, the water will reduce and become too salty.
While you wait for the water, to boil, whisk together the dressing and prep the vegetables. By the time the pasta is finished, everything is ready to assemble.
This is also the perfect recipe to use up those hard boiled eggs you may have leftover from your Easter dinner for two.
Make sure you leave enough time to chill! Refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to develop. However, if youre in a hurry to serve, chill for at least 1 hour minimum.
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Creamy Macaroni Salad Dressing Recipe
Now that you have your noodles and all your add-ins in the bowl, its time to whisk up that super easy, finger-licking good dressing!
- Whisk together mayo, white vinegar , sugar, dijon mustard , salt, pepper and just a little bit of sweet pickle relish.
- Pour the dressing into the salad bowl and stir to coat the ingredients evenly.
- Chill the mixture until ready to serve, make sure to stir again before serving.
So easy!!
How Long Can You Keep Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad will keep for up to five days when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This is a great salad for making in advance and serving at picnics and potlucks, but try not to leave it out at room temperature for very long as the salad dressing base will not keep well in the heat.
This macaroni salad recipe is a favorite to serve alongside my favorite BBQ pulled chicken and a plate full of deviled eggs .
When I shared my deviled egg recipe, so many of you shared your favorite methods for cleanly peeling fresh eggs, and I appreciated those tips so much and have tried many of them. Id love to keep the conversation going here if you would !
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An Easy Make Ahead Side
This classic macaronis salad recipe is a simple side thats tasty, filling, and budget-friendly. It goes with everything from burgers to fried chicken.
- You can make macaroni salad ahead of time for the best flavor.
- Youll likely have the ingredients on hand for this recipe and if not, swap in what you do have!
- Its super fast to put together.
- There are no special ingredients required for the dressing .
- Use any short pasta or add-ins to make it your own.
Gather The Ingredients For Shrimp Macaroni Salad
The ingredient list for this shrimp macaroni salad is a little long, but you likely have many of the items on-hand. Of course, you’ll need the namesake macaroni and shrimp, but you’ll also need a shallot, celery, a red bell pepper, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, celery seed, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper.
“You can use any size shrimp you like with this recipe,” Pisula advises. “I prefer the 51-60 count shrimp they’re a perfect bite size and taste much better than the little cooked salad shrimp you often find in a shrimp macaroni salad. That said, use what you like. And, pre-cooked shrimp can definitely be used instead of raw.”
As far as other ingredient substitutions, you can trade out the lemon juice for white wine vinegar or sub green onions in for the shallots. And Pisula also says you shouldn’t shy away from adding in more veggies, suggesting peas or radishes as good options to consider.
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How To Make Macaroni Salad
The first step is to boil the macaroni shells. Drain them in the sink and let them cool off.
In a large bowl, add the cooled macaroni, tomatoes, green onions, cucumber and green pepper. I love how colourful this salad is!
To make the dressing, in a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, extra virgin olive oil, ketchup, white vinegar, salt, pepper and paprika. Pour the dressing over the veggie/macaroni mixture and stir until its completely covered.
Pop in the fridge to chill until you are ready to serve. Easy peasy!
The Best Dressing For Macaroni Salad
- Mayonnaise Creamy, full-fat mayo is your best bet. Alternatively, you can use half mayo and half greek yogurt if you like it a little on the tangier side.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar adds just the right amount of tang to cut through the fat of the mayo.
- Sweet Pickle Relish Use the same sweet relish as you would for hot dogs in this recipe. You can also chop up dill pickles o
- Mustard Regular yellow mustard or dijon mustard works best! You dont need to run to the store to grab anything too fancy.
- Salt & Pepper Finish the pasta salad with as much or as little salt and pepper as suits you!
- Fresh Herbs If youd like, add in some minced fresh parsley, dill, or green onion for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Pro Tip: If you like a kick of spice, add some cayenne pepper to the dressing. If you like it extra salty, add in some diced ham cubes.
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What Ingredients Are In Macaroni Salad
Different macaroni salads contain different ingredients, but my staples include:
- Hard boiled eggs or shredded or diced cheddar cheese
- A homemade mayo-based macaroni salad dressing
You can obviously add your favorite additional add-ins or make substitutions , but this if my favorite combination and I really recommend you try it out exactly this way at least once for yourself.
The dressing I just mentioned is what really sets it apart from other potluck recipes you might have tried. It provides just the right amount of creaminess the noodles are coated in just enough sauce and are neither dry nor are they drenched in the dressing. Its also just slightly sweetened thanks to the addition of some sweet pickle juice and a pinch of sugar.
Cook And Drain The Pasta And Shrimp
To kick things off, you’ll need to cook the pasta and shrimp. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil on your stove and add the macaroni to the pot. Cook according to the package instructions, adding the shrimp to the pot the last 1 to 2 minutes of the cooking time. When the shrimp are pink and cooked through, immediately drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
The trick to a good pasta salad is to get the cooking time right, and it’s important to aim for al dente. “Don’t overcook the pasta err on the side of under vs. overcooked, since overcooked pasta will make the macaroni salad mushy. If you’re unsure of the cooking time on the package, cook pasta until al dente, then add the shrimp,” says Pisula.
After you’ve drained and rinsed the pasta and shrimp, pat them dry to remove any excess water this helps prevent a watery salad. Then, transfer them to the fridge to chill until you’re ready to assemble the salad.
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How To Make The Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Cooking the macaroni correctly is essential to a good mac salad. Overcook it and youll end up with mushy bites that wont stand up to the mixing with the vegetables. Cook the macaroni al denté as you would your favorite Italian pasta. Watching your cooking time and cooking to the package directions should ensure the perfect bite. And to be sure, taste test every minute or so when coming to the end of your cooking time.
After cooking, rinse the macaroni so it doesnt stick. The macaroni salad trick I learned from my mom is to rinse the pasta after cooking and drain it really well so theres no residual water lurking in the pasta nook and crannies. Rinsing the pasta under cold water stops the cooking time and removes some of the starches created from cooking. As the pasta cools, toss it a bit with your hands or a spoon so it stays loose and doesnt clump together.
Pickles, eggs, celery and more! Grandmas recipe had the same basics as this one, but I added more sweet picklesbecause I could eat pickles on dirt if I had toand hard boiled eggbecause in my humble opinion, mayo based salads always taste better with a touch of a hard boiled egg.
How To Make Macaroni Salad Ahead
The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated the pasta, vegetables, and basil can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Before serving, bring all of the components to room temperature. Add the dressing to a large bowl and whisk to loosen, then stir in the pasta, vegetables and herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning and serve.
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